by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

concern that has been shown to us.

We had the most beautiful service - lots of crying and guess what I got right through the Eulogy to the very last line. I had typed out 4 pages of my memories. Everyone loved it and it wasn't until the very last line that I had to stop as I could feel the tears welling and dropping. I calmed myself by just thinking that there were so many of you people praying for me.

Over the past years I'd ring Mum just to see how their day was going and sometimes Dad would answer (this was when he could still talk properly) and I'd say "How are you Dad?" and he'd say "Alright later on, not bad tomorrow" -------- so of course I finished my eulogy with that and that was when I lost it.

Trevor got up and spoke after me and made it a bit lighter with some of the funny sayings Dad used to say and some were a bit risque! So there was lots of laughter.

Then our three children Ben, (only grandson) Dana and Amy got up and all three of them broke down crying uncontrollably - but they comforted each other. It was such a privilege to witness, we were very proud of them.

After Dad left the church our Priest Wendy and assistant Michelle walked in front of the hearse to the main street - only about a 60 metre walk. Boy, was that a moving gesture, you can imagine all of us just crying our eyes out by then.

Wendy knew Dad was not religious and so she gave us the most beautiful contemporary service. The first song was "Too Young" by Nat King Cole (Mum and Dad's theme tune), we then had Blue Spanish Eyes just after my Eulogy (Dad's favourite) and then after the Lord's Prayer "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban and then as the coffin left the church Hallelujah by K.D. Lang as far as I'm concerned the best version of it.

Well, by then you can imagine, we were just balling our eyes out.

On Dad's coffin was all of his favourite flowers with the most beautiful scent. In the middle was 3 red roses, one for each of his girls - Mum, Me and my sister Julie. As the coffin was leaving the Funeral Director picked up one of the red roses and placed it on the coffin.

Once Dad had gone I got up and asked everyone to come in to the church hall for afternoon tea. As we were having afternoon tea we watched a great power point presentation of Dad's life that our darling daughter Dana had put together.

The afternoon tea was all put on by the women of the church - for which we were so grateful. We had to do nothing, I only bought flowers (all natives) and one of our wonderful ladies did the most beautiful display of them.

My Uncle Brian, my husband Trevor, our son Ben and our son-in-laws Jason and Steve walked Dad out to the hearse. Following Jason was little Ryke (4 years old) who didn't really understand that Dad had died. Oh! the innocence of children is so wonderful.

Dana told Jasana that Puppa had gone to heaven and she asked "Who's Kevin?" well that bought a great burst of laughter.

Well, he has gone and my memories are forever. We have all our family around us and we are here for Mum. My sister is very torn - she is thinking of coming up here to Newcastle from Tumby Bay to live. We will continue to pray for that to happen.

I just wanted to have the last couple of days to spend with all our family before I wrote this to all you beautiful men and women who prayed for me.

God is so good. He has kept his promise to me and Mum.

Much love and blessings Chris

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Comments (11)

by lflanders 12 Sep 2010

It sounds like your Dad had a wonderful service that would make any man proud. I am sure he was there in spirit and in all of your hearts. Your planning and your Eulogy would have made a any man proud of his family's devotion and love. It is time to start the healing and return your thoughts to the ones that need you now. Your Dad will always be in your heart and you will always have wonderful thoughts of your life as his daughter. Those are the cleansing thoughts, the ones that will take away the pain. You will very soon wake up one morning and things will look alot different than they appear right now. You will continue to miss him off and on forever. The little things will come to mind and will put a smile on your face instead of the tears you have shed in the last few weeks. It will get better and easier every day that passes. You thoughts will soon be of mostly the good times and things that just pop into your thoughts and you will find yourself smiling. Our Lord is a wonderful Lord that provides help at just the right times. You have a large and close family and each of you will feed off of each others memories. It is sad that the little ones will not get to know him as he was, but even they will have your memories as the years pass. it is a wonderful thing when families are as close and loving as your family is. Each of you have your own support system within the family. You are a very blessed ,wonderful matriarch, for the family. You hold it all together beautifully. I know your Mom must be very proud to have raised such a wonderful daughter and I am sure your Dad is looking down at you with sheer pride that you are his daughter. The whole service was handled with alot of loving thoughts and memories with everyone celebrating his life. You should be proud as well as emotional right now. Shed the tears and then find something to laugh about. Your Dad would not want you to continue to be sad. Take solace in the fact that he did not have to suffer for a proloned period of time. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Keep Mom busy and she will get through it very well also. She has already proven that she is going to get by just fine. My love to all of you, Linda

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by pennifold 13 Sep 2010

Oh! thanks so much Lind for that lovely letter. I am getting by each day is a little less painful. Mum and I have been out all day and she seems to be coping well too. I think she said her goodbyes a while ago and she is happy with her own company.

You are right about the memories, every now and then I recall something that makes me smile and sometimes shed a tear, but it is fleetingly now.

Dad would not want us to mourn too long and you are right we are so glad he didn't have to spend too much time in hospital. It's a pity he didn't even know we were there, well maybe he did!!!!!!

Love and blessings Chris

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by gerryvb 12 Sep 2010

thank you for sharing this with us. Your dad must be very proud of you.he will always keep that special place in your heart and in your memory. cherish the lovely moments you had together, he will keep watching over you.hugs/love gerry

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by pennifold 13 Sep 2010

I do hope so Gerry - that's what life is all about family, friends and your memories of loved ones. I am glad he is at rest now.

Love and blessings Chris

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by jrob Moderator 11 Sep 2010

Thank you for writing such a beautiful memory here for us Chris. God is good all of the time.;)

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by pennifold 12 Sep 2010

Hi Jerrilyn, you are welcome. God gave me the strength to get through it all. After the service was over now that was a different matter - I cried quite a lot especially when the hearse left the church. I am so glad that it was such a great day. Love and blessings Chris

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by keeponsewing 11 Sep 2010

Chris, I'm just now seeing this (18hrs later). Thank you for sharing with us such a wonderful memory. Your dad would have been proud of you all. I will continue to keep you in my prayers during this time of grieving. Can I share one of my favorite verses from God's Word. Phil. 4, 6-7, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. HIS peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Knowing Him on a personal level gives us a peace others don't understand. And when we go though this valley He says we are not to fear. God is with us always. So I'm praying during this time you will reach out to God for a peace none other can give you.... Love you and praying for you and your family. Hugs...Terre

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by pennifold 12 Sep 2010

I am sure that Dad would have been proud of me. I woke at 3.00am on the day of the funeral with my heart racing and was thinking of things that I had to do, but I just prayed for a calm to fill me and it did. I am so glad I got through the Eulogy right till the last line, but it was just a great release to let the tears flow.

Thank you for that great quote from Philippians - it's one of my favourite books.

After witnessing my father's passing from this life into the next I have no fear for it is just a breath away.

As I left him for the last time I whispered in his ear that I'd see him in heaven.

Love and blessings Chris

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by kalinelson 11 Sep 2010

Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful service...I know there will continue to be tears but I also know you will have many wonderful memories....I'm so glad God gave you the strength to make it through the eulogy.....I will continue to pray for your family...blessings Janet

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by pennifold 12 Sep 2010

Thanks so much Janet - it was a beautiful service and I'm so glad all our family and friends got to be there. Dad would have loved it.

Love and blessings Chris

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by designgirl 11 Sep 2010

Will keep you and your family in my prayers. What a beautiful service for your dear Dad.Hugs Lynn.

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thanks so much Lynn I really appreciate that. Love and blessings Chris

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by asterixsew Moderator 11 Sep 2010

Chris thanks for this. I realise due to the time diffeence I had left it too late to say I would be thinking of you at the service. I did the main talking at my mothers funeral earlier this year. I too felt I wanted to do this for her. The person at my fathers funeral did not know him and this was obvious at the funeral. They had only just become the vicar of their church. I also found the end of my talking about my mums life the bit which was the most difficult as did my younger daughter who also spoke. Funerals for the elderly are a celebration of their past life. I am just sorry that your father was not that old.
Keep remembering as a family the father you all loved and remembered before he began to fail. Take care

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thank you so much for praying for us anyway. We have all appreciated it.

I was saying in an earlier post that every now and again a memory pops into my head and I cry or laugh. He was such a great Dad, Puppa and Great Puppa!

You're right too a funeral is a celebration of life! Praise the Lord!

Love and blessings Chris

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by 02kar Moderator 11 Sep 2010

What a special good bye for a man who was and still is dearly loved and missed. You are a brave woman to have given the eulogy. I would never have been able to get through it. Take time to rest uo, remember the joys and spend pecious time with your Mom.

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thanks Karen - I wasn't as brave as my best friend though - I am the lead singer in church and everyone expected me to sing. Marg sang at her father's funeral and I told her I could never do that - I get too emotional. I kept my word I didn't sing - we just had his and mum's favourite songs which were bad enough, some were tear jerkers.

It will be a lovely day today Sunday 12th September as our grand-daughter Aqualina is being baptised. Dad would have loved to be there.

Yes, Mum will be looked after. I'm taking her for a trip to Adelaide at the end of October to catch up with old friends and Rosemary our cousin who stayed at my place has asked us to stay with her.

Love and blessings Chris

by designgirl 11 Sep 2010

Chris, your Dad will be there ( if only in spirit)at the baptising of Aqualina. Your whole family will have him in their thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you tomorrow. Hugs Lynn

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by judybell 11 Sep 2010

What special service for your father. I will continue to pray for you and your loved ones as you work through your loss. God bless, Judy

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thanks Judy, every now and again I'll be thinking of something and the tears come to the surface - but, that is to be expected - time will heal the pain that he is gone, but memories will last forever.

Love and blessings Chris

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by grandmamek 11 Sep 2010

What a beautiful service you and your family had for your father, I have been thinking and praying for you all week. Love and Hugs, Mary

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thank you so much Mary - it was a fitting send off and everyone at the service cried and laughed. Dad would have loved it.

Love and blessings Chris

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by shirlener88 11 Sep 2010

Chris, what a touching and special service you and your family put together for your Dad - how is your Mum holding up? I prayed for you through the week and knew that you would do well and it is very hard for me to even write my feelings about all this my dear - my eyes seem to be leaking and I can't see to type.

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by pennifold 11 Sep 2010

Thanks Shirlene I really appreciated all your little cards etc. It's been a tough week full of highs and lows, but we have managed to get through it all.

Today at church will be sad as the whole congregation will be with us. Straight after it we have to go to the Belmont Anglican Church (our sister church only 5 mins away - which was my church before I came to the Belmont North one) for Aqualina's Baptism.

We are really thankful for everyone's prayers, thoughts and concerns. He had a wonderful life and I am just so thankful, happy and sad all rolled up into one for the care and concern showed to us.

He will be greatly missed. Mum is holding up well, she said her goodbyes a long time ago, but there of course will be times when she is sad too.

God is good, He will keep us covered by his great love.

Love and blessings Chris

by shirlener88 11 Sep 2010

We are praying for a wonderful service.

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